We've seen Snoop Dogg Lion, née Calvin Broadus, Jr., transform from a rapper who helped put G-funk permanently on the sonic map into a multi-hyphenate entertainer. Through his non-profit organization Mind Gardens with John Paul DiJoria (Paul Mitchell, Patrón), we can add local food activist to the range. Bringing its community garden initiative launched last year in Kingston, Jamaica, Mind Gardens has chosen four gardens in Los Angeles to highlight in its “Adopt-A-Garden” contest, running until next Wednesday, August 21. And you can decide on which you'd prefer to see win the grand prize through the Facebook page of Mind Garden's local partner in philanthropy Reed's Ginger Brew.

Little Green Fingers, L.A. CAN Rooftop Garden, EnrichLA Community Garden and Walter Reed Middle School are among the local gardens in L.A. up for consideration, eligible for either first ($2,000), second ($1,000), third ($500) or fourth ($250) place. They were selected in large part because they've demonstrated a shared philosophy in community and youth education through gardening.

All four gardens will be included in the Mind Gardens Family, which means they'll be provided with “additional tools that will allow them to continue to thrive,” according to spokesperson Jesse Nicely. Each garden has already been given heirloom vegetable seeds from SmartSeeds and a one-year supply of organic compost from EcoScraps.

Mind Gardens chose L.A. to launch its foray into the U.S. due to its various ties to the city, from Snoop Lion's personal connection as a native Angeleno to homegrown background of the organization's partner, Reed's Ginger Brew. To cast your vote, log on to the Reed's Ginger Brew Facebook page; voting will close on Wednesday, August 21.

And in related news:

– The Pride of Mar Vista: Sustainable Gardens

– Q & A With Gardening for Geeks' Christy Wilhelmi: Black Thumbs, Raccoon-Deterrents + Why Garden Hoses Are Scary

– Christy Roberts: The Guerrilla Johnny Appleseed

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